Stability bar system

ABSTRACT

A stability bar system is disclosed for use in exercising and muscle toning. The system provides an unstable base to engage core muscles while performing exercises. The bar has a central attachment point, and multiple off-center attachment points on which to attach resistance tubing, bands, cables, or straps. The body of the bar is made from rigid plastic or metal, and allows for diverse exercises by providing interchangeable attachments, and multiple configurations, to vary stability and resistance. The bar may also be used to perform body weight exercises. The stability bar system is designed to allow an exerciser to engage core muscles while focusing on other, primary muscles.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/444,259, filed Feb. 18, 2011, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally pertains to exercise apparatus, andmore particularly, to exercise instability bars. Some examples ofexercise bars according to the present disclosure may be used forfitness training to tone muscle and increase core strength.

SUMMARY

Exercise instability bars and systems are generally disclosed. Someexample embodiments may include methods, apparatus, and/or systemsassociated with exercise attachments or instability bars.

Example exercise apparatus include a rigid bar fixed to a sturdy frame,and optional removable resistance tubes or bands. The bar itself shouldbe strong and rigid enough to support body weight to include body weighttraining such as pull-ups and pushups. A central attachment point at thecenter of the bar connects it to a sturdy frame. A plurality ofoff-center attachment points are located on the “bottom” of the bar,with respect to the central attachment point, which is located on thesurface rotated by 180 degrees. The resistance bands are attachable,removable and interchangeable on these off-center attachment points.

The off-center attachment points are distributed evenly on both sides ofthe center attachment point, and are symmetrical on either side of thecenter. An exemplary off-center attachment point configuration may be asfollows. Two off-center attachment points may be set close to the middleof the bar. Midway between these off-center attachment points and theend of the bar are two more off-center attachment points. Finally, twooff-center attachment points are located at the end of the bar toprovide the least stabilization.

Resistance bands or tubes may be attached to any one of the plurality ofattachment points. The resistance bands have handles on one end.Generally, two resistance bands are attached to the bar—one on each sideof the center, to accommodate the two sides of a user. In an exemplaryembodiment, this band may be an elastic resistance band or tube, but itmay also be another type of attachment, such as a cable band, or astrap.

In an exemplary embodiment, a carabiner connects the resistance band toan attachment point. The bands have a small loop sewn on one end and arubber handle sewn on the other. The end with the small loop loops ontothe carabineer. The carabiner then fits onto an attachment point at thebottom of the bar. Other ways to connect the handle and strap to the barinclude hooks, loops, or tabs on the bar.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bar is formed from metal. Oval holepairs are punched into the tube for attachment points. These holes canbe any shape, but oval holes allow the connecting carabiner to movesmoothly when the device is in use. The holes pairs are punched throughthe bar at the same length position on the bar. There are a total offourteen holes. Two holes are located on the center top of the bar.These holes are for connecting the central attachment, to connect to aframe. On the opposite side of the bar are twelve holes for resistanceband handle placement. There may be three pairs of evenly spaced holeson either side of the center. There can be any number of holes on thebar and these holes can be any shape and placed at any location in thetube to vary the stability and resistance.

In an exemplary embodiment, the stability bar is plastic. Three piecesmake up the bar including the center member, and the two identicalpartial bars that connect to the center member. The center member has acutout at the top of the device to connect a strap. This strap attachesto a stable frame or structure. The center member contains femalethreading allowing the two partial bars to connect. Each partial bar hasthree molded loops. The holes in the loops allow a carabiner to fitthrough, which connects the resistance tubing. In an exemplaryembodiment, there are a total of six loops and one center cutout on theplastic bar. The loops are evenly spaced over the length of the bar. Thehole design, placement, and number of holes may vary and accomplish thesame results in this disclosure.

The size and shape of both the plastic and metal bar may vary. Thelength may vary, and the tubing may be circular, rectangular, or oval incross-section. The bar may be straight or curved. Any number of holesmay be placed at any location on the bar to attach carabineers or otherattaching pieces. The center member of the plastic bar may attach in anyway, not necessarily a screw.

The center attachment piece connects the stability bar to a sturdy framefor exercise. In one use, the bar is connected by the center point tothe frame, so it moves freely in any direction when the bar is pushed orpulled, and the user must exert force to stabilize it. The attachmentpoints in the bar are located at various points to provide differenttorque during exercise. The wider the resistance bands or straps areattached, the more unstable the bar and the more effort is required bythe user to stabilize the bar. When the bands are in place in the bar,the user will use the resistance for exercise, and force on the bandsand straps control the movement of the bar. Additional work will beperformed stabilizing the bar. In the absence of bands or straps, thebar may be used as a cable attachment or for body weight exercises.

The exercise apparatus in the disclosure may be made by way offabrication, machining, and injection molding. The straps and part ofthe center attachment piece may be fabricated, such as from nylon orpolyester. The bands and handles may be injection molded. The resistancebands may be different sizes and resistance. The straps may bemanufactured in various sizes and shapes. The bar, portions of thecenter attachment piece, and attachment pieces may be machined.

A person could use the stability bar by attaching the center attachmentpiece to a stable frame. Then based on the desired exercise, the userwould attach bands, straps, or cables to various attachment positions onthe bar, or use the bar itself for pull-ups, push-ups, and other bodyweight exercises.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding thatthese drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with thedisclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of itsscope. The disclosure will be described with additional specificity anddetail through use of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a metal stability bar system, including thebar, strap, bands, handles, and attachment pieces;

FIG. 2 is bottom view a metal stability bar, including the plurality ofattachment points;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a metal stability bar;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a plastic stability bar system including thebar and strap;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one half of the bar in a plasticstability bar system;

FIG. 6 a shows an X-ray view of the middle piece of the plasticstability bar system;

FIG. 6 b shows a perspective view of the middle piece of the plasticstability bar system;

FIG. 7 shows a stability bar system, attached to a frame, and in use.

FIG. 8 shows a stability bar system, attached to a frame, and in use ina second orientation

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.It will be readily understood that the aspects of the presentdisclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in theFigures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a widevariety of different configurations, all of which are explicitlycontemplated and make part of this disclosure.

The present disclosure pertains, inter alia, to exercise systems, suchas stability bar systems. Some example embodiments according to thepresent disclosure may comprise a stability bar, which may include asubstantially straight bar, attachments, and resistance bands.

An exemplary embodiment of the stability bar system 100 is shown inFIG. 1. The stability bar system 100 includes an elongated bar 200, witha metal body 201. Metal ring 222 is coupled to the top of the bar 200and connects strap 220 to the bar 200 at the attachment point 206 at thecenter of the bar. Strap 220 may have a body of nylon webbing 221 and anadjustable buckle 223. The metal ring 222 and strap 220 assembly may ormay not be easily detachable from the center of the bar 200. The bar 200has optional end-caps 203 and a plurality of attachment points 205extending along the bottom of the bar 200. The plurality of attachmentpoints 205 allow resistance bands 210, for example, to be attached anddetached at various points on the bar 200. The resistance bands 210 havea band 212, and a handle 214 as well as a bearing cylinder 213 to allowthe handle 214 to swivel.

FIG. 2 depicts the plurality of attachment points 205 on the undersideof a metal stability bar 200 with body 201. Each attachment point 205along the body 201 comprises a hole pair, 205 a and 205 b extendingthrough the bar 200 to provide a through-hole for one carabiner 223 tobe inserted into and out of the bar 201. Similarly, hole pair 205 c/205d through 205 d/205 l provide through-holes for a carabiner 223 to enterand exit the bar body 201 and lock into the bar 200.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a metal stability bar 200, including ametal body 201 and end-caps 203. The plurality of attachment points 205are oriented along one edge of the bar 201, while the central attachmentpoint 206 is on an opposite edge. A carabiner 223 attaches into thecentral attachment point 206 a/206 b. The central attachment point 206 aand 206 b lie on the same length of the bar 200 so the bar is balancedon either side when it is attached to a frame 500.

A second exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, is a front view of aplastic stability bar system 101 including the bar 300, bar body 301,center member 322 and strap 320. The center member 322 engages the bars301 a and 301 b together with a screw thread system. Strap system 320 ismade from a nylon webbing or strip 319 and buckle 323 for latching ontoa stable frame 500.

FIG. 5 shows one side of the bar 301 a, unscrewed and disassembled fromthe central cuff 322. The external screw threads 302 of the bar 301 areexposed, which in an in-use position is threaded into and locked intocuff 322 of FIG. 6 a. Central cuff 322 keeps 301 a and 301 b locked andengaged in a rigid and stable position. Abutment head 325 preventsfurther turns and allows proper orientation of the tabs 305 to facedownwards in relation to the cuff 322 and slit 323, which points in aradially opposed direction from the tabs 305.

FIG. 6 a shows an X-ray view of the central cuff 322 of the plasticstability bar system 101 depicting the internal female threading 303.FIG. 6 b shows a perspective view of the center cuff 322 including theoutside barrel 304, and axially extending cut-out 323 on the radial tab321 for the strap 320.

As shown in FIG. 7, stability bar system 100 may be attached to frame500 by attachment point 222, and operated in a first orientation. Theresistance band system 210 is hooked into a narrow, or stable position,into points 205 e/205 f, and 205 g/205 h. The user or person P isoperating the stability bar system 100 in a first orientation, facingtowards the stability bar system 100. P engages the triceps brachii andlatissimus dorsi muscles, as well as the core by keeping the bar 200stable, while exerting a force against the resistance created by thesystem 100.

FIG. 8 shows a stability bar system 100 attached to a frame 500 atconnection 222, and in use by P. The resistance band system 210 is in awide, less stable position, on attachment points 205 a/205 b, andattachment points 205 k/205 l. The user P is facing away from thestability bar system 100 where the resistance is coming from, and thus Pis engaging pectoral muscles to press away from the resistance. The coremuscles are engaged to keep the bar 200 in a stable position.

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising: a rigid bar having a centralattachment point and a plurality of off-center attachment pointsdistributed along the rigid bar; at least one band of a plurality ofbands removably attachable to one of the plurality of off-centerattachment points.
 2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the atleast one band is one of an elastic resistance band, an elasticresistance tube, and a cable band.
 3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a flexible, substantially non-elastic strap removablyattachable to the central attachment point.
 4. The exercise apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the central attachment point and the plurality ofoff-center attachment points respectively lie on the bar in opposedradial directions.
 5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein acarabiner connects the at least one band to the off-center attachmentpoint.
 6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least oneband has a handle.
 7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein: theplurality of off-center attachment points are symmetrical on either sideof the central attachment point.
 8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7,wherein the attachment points are evenly spaced.
 9. The exerciseapparatus of claim 7, wherein: a first set of off-center attachmentpoints are close to the center of the bar; a second set of off-centerattachment points are close to the ends of the bar; and a third set ofoff-center attachment points are midway between the first set ofoff-center attachment points and second set of off-center attachmentpoints.
 10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pairof bands, each removably attachable to one of the plurality ofoff-center attachment points on opposing sides of the central attachmentpoint.
 11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bar is metal.12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the flexible,non-elastic strap is adapted to be connected to the central attachmentpoint by a metal ring or a carabiner.
 13. The exercise apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the central attachment point and the plurality ofoff-center attachment points, each comprise a pair of oval holes. 14.The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the central attachmentpoint, and the plurality of off-center attachment points, each comprisemetal loops.
 15. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprisingend-caps on the rigid bar.
 16. The exercise apparatus of claim 1,wherein the bar is plastic.
 17. The exercise apparatus of claim 16,wherein the bar comprises two partial bars which attach to a centermember to form the rigid bar.
 18. The exercise apparatus of claim 16,wherein the central attachment point is a tab with a cut-out, extendingradially from the center member.
 19. The exercise apparatus of claim 17,wherein the center member is an internally threaded cuff; and the twopartial bars each include a threaded portion for screw-threadedengagement with the cuff.
 20. The exercise apparatus of claim 18,further comprising a flexible, non-elastic strap connectable to thecentral attachment point.
 21. The exercise apparatus of claim 16,wherein the plurality of attachment points comprise tabs with holes, thetabs extending radially from the rigid bar.
 22. The exercise apparatusof claim 1, wherein the bar is substantially straight.
 23. The exerciseapparatus of claim 1, wherein the bar is substantially curved.
 24. Amethod of using the apparatus of claim 6, comprising the steps of:providing a stationary frame for attaching the central attachment strap;attaching a first elastic resistance band and a second elasticresistance band to a first and second of the plurality of off-centerattachment points; gripping the handle bars of the elastic resistancebands and stretching the band by pushing or pulling.